CDCR: Three inmates attack Kern Valley State Prison guards

Guards were punched in the face during two separate incidents Monday morning in the same facility at Kern Valley State Prison.

Correctional officers were escorting an inmate to his cell when that inmate started arguing and refused to go into his cell, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. That inmate, 40-year-old Steven Corotan, refused to submit to handcuffs and punched an officer, knocking him down some stairs.

The officer, whose name was withheld, lost consciousness and suffered a broken sinus.

The CDCR said Corotan’s cellmate, 44-year-old Raul Alvarado, came out of his cell and joined the fight.

Officers used "less-lethal" 40mm rounds, pepper spray, physical force and a baton to quell the attack, according to the CDCR.

About a half hour later, officers were processing inmates back from the dining hall when inmate Jesus Vasquez, 39, punched an officer in the face. Physical force, a baton and pepper spray were used to gain control of Vasquez, the CDCR said.

Several officers were injured in that incident, but none needed care at a hospital.

Two involved inmates, Alvarado and Vasquez, were taken to outside hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

All of the involved inmates have been moved to a segregated unit.

Corotan came from San Diego County and has been in prison since the 1990s for murder. Alvarado came from Los Angeles County and has also been in prison since the '90s. He was convicted of second-degree murder.

Vasquez came from San Diego County and has been in prison since 2002 for murder.